Why do all artificial Xmas trees come pre-lit now?

Nov 13, 2011 6:00 PM

This is a trend I've seen over the last few years. I like the convenience of an artificial tree but I DON'T want one that's pre-lit. I have my own set of lights that I like to arrange on the tree just the way I want, and I don't want a pre-lit tree where it's all pre-determined for me. But it's getting harder and harder to find any trees without lights already on them, and when it becomes time to replace my current tree I'm afraid I won't be able to find one at all any more.

Top Answers

I on the other hand appreciate the prelit trees. There used to be a gnome in my attic who took all of the light strings that I put away so carefully and tangled them into a ghastly mess! So much easier. But, kudos to you for having the time and patience and artistic desire.

I understand what you're saying about using your own lights - especially if you have some of the bubble lights. I don't have an artificial tree, so I'm not sure of this - Can't you just add your lights to one that's prelit? When I look at photos they all have the tiny, itsy-bitsy lights; seems like adding more strings of larger colored bulbs would be nice. Do know unlit trees are still available, so if you're concerned maybe you should buy one now. Lots of sales going on. Better yet, wait until after Christmas & pick up one then.

I understand the consternation about the prelit tree, I had it too. But one thing I've learned is it can be hard to put on too many lights on a tree, and those prelits tend to never have enough. I bought an extra string for my 4 footer and strung it into the tree, and it looks a ton better than it did with just the prelit lights. Don't let the prelit strings stop you, go add on the ones you like! It'll look even better than before!

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I on the other hand appreciate the prelit trees. There used to be a gnome in my attic who took all of the light strings that I put away so carefully and tangled them into a ghastly mess! So much easier. But, kudos to you for having the time and patience and artistic desire.

I understand what you're saying about using your own lights - especially if you have some of the bubble lights. I don't have an artificial tree, so I'm not sure of this - Can't you just add your lights to one that's prelit? When I look at photos they all have the tiny, itsy-bitsy lights; seems like adding more strings of larger colored bulbs would be nice. Do know unlit trees are still available, so if you're concerned maybe you should buy one now. Lots of sales going on. Better yet, wait until after Christmas & pick up one then.

I understand the consternation about the prelit tree, I had it too. But one thing I've learned is it can be hard to put on too many lights on a tree, and those prelits tend to never have enough. I bought an extra string for my 4 footer and strung it into the tree, and it looks a ton better than it did with just the prelit lights. Don't let the prelit strings stop you, go add on the ones you like! It'll look even better than before!

I got a great deal on a display tree once on Christmas Eve from Target. It was like 95% off! Anyway once I got it home in the back of the van (it was assembled already) I decided to break it down for storage until the next year. While the tree itself easily came apart into five sections the lights.. well not so much so.

I never was a fan of white lights anyway (I've always believed that Christmas should be colorful and gaudy for the kids!) so rather than try to untangle the mess I ended up just cutting the lights off and it was no different from a tree that doesn't come with them.

Certainly see your point, but personally I love the convenience of the prelit trees, no tangled up strings of lights, no hassling to connect strands together, basically our 8 footer flips up almost like an umbrella.

Personally, I think the pre-lit trees are mostly a convenience, but I'll grant your point, especially if you like blinky lights or have fancy ones (like bubble lights). (The issue with blinky lights is that pre-lit trees, at least those of any significant size, say 6.5 feet and up, come in sections and it sucks when a two foot high horizontal slice of tree goes dark all at once.)

The pre-lit (white only) tree I got at BJ's Warehouse two years ago would be easy to convert into an unlit tree by merely removing the seven or eight 100 bulb strands of lights from it (no cutting required except for a few cable ties).

However, rather than doing that, I put the white strands on one X-10 dimmer and add another seven or so multi-colored strands (100 lights each)on another X-10 dimmer. I can then vary the tree's brightness as desired and add color (though with incandescent bulbs, they are reddish at low light levels).

Okay, I re-checked the Michael's ad and it wasn't them. I can't remember who it was now but I do know that Home Depot had some and Target had one in their ad that I was looking at because it seemed relatively cheap.

I already have a little tree so I am not in that big a hurry to replace it but I would like to get some lights that work and thought I would switch to LEDs if I can ever find some that are affordable.

I bought a 9 foot prelit tree last year paid too much. I hate it. hassle to put up & plug the right thing in etc.
Not near as pretty as my old Mountain King, which you had to 'hook' the branches into the collar.I wrapped the pole in clear lights, then I put colored lights on by the layer starting with the bottom. I wrapped each branch from tiP to trunk etc,put on extra candle lights,accesory lights, & finally garlands& ornies. When finished, it looked like a dept store tree
The prelit trees don't seem to be made for all this old fashioned traditional decorating.
I think they are made to put up and plug in for people on the go,I noticed many of the display trees did not have ornies on them, just lit.
So I am stuck with this tree for the price. If I had it to do over again I would purchase the Mountain king on line. They are not prelit and they are MADE IN AMerica!!! Yes it is a hassle to put up and take down, but you do have a beautiful full tree and room to hang lots of ornies.

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